Welcome!
The Naturopathic Doctor is Stacey Welton who currently practices at The Health Loft located in the Toronto Thompson Hotel.
Dr. Welton is a board certified Naturopathic Doctor licensed to practice in Ontario and is a professional member of both the OAND and CAND.
Email: dr.staceywelton@hotmail.com for more information!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Surprising to some, swine flu infects people every year and is found typically in people who have been in contact with pigs, although there have been cases of person-to-person transmission.

There is no research that can predict who is at risk and who is not. What the history of previous Influenza pandemics has indicated is that patients who had the greatest mortality were those whose immune system over-reacted after the initial Influenza virus infection.

Signs and Symptoms:

- fever*, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, disorientation, chills and fatigue (*Please note: some people such as the elderly and people who are immune compromised may not develop a fever).

- Some people have reported stiffness of the joints, diarrhea and vomiting.

- In severe cases it can result in loss of consciousness that can end in death.

How does swine flu spread?

- Spread of swine influenza A (H1N1) happens from person-to-person in the same way that seasonal flu spreads (through coughing or sneezing)

- Swine flu is contagious 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7+ days after becoming sick.

Naturopathic Approaches are valuable in both prevention and treatment

1) Hygiene

- Cover nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing

- Cough or sneeze into sleeve or jacket of bent arm rather than into closed fist or open hand (be courteous of others around you, especially on public transit!)

- Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after a cough or sneeze

- Avoid close contact with sick people

2) Lifestyle

- Ensure adequate rest

- Wash hands with soap frequently during the day

- Walk and do stretching exercises to boost the immune system

- Dry skin brushing and hot/cold showers (ending your daily showers with a blast of cold water) can be useful to support optimal lymphatic system function

- Allow a mild to moderate fever (you read that right!) A fever of 1-3 degrees above normal 37.5 C has a profound effect on immune modulation and optimizes health

3) Naturopathic Treatment Recommendations

The Influenza virus must cross mucosal membrane barriers (the nose, the mouth, the eyes...) to cause disease. The integrity and therefore, protective quality of these barriers can be enhanced through the use of the following:

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Indeed the aim is to warm the body - but it is through the use of cold rather than warmth.

Sound strange...? Read on!

Hydrotherapy is an ancient form of therapy where water is used to treat a multitude of ailments.

Gentle AND effective.

There are a variety of different forms that hydrotherapy can take - saunas, peat baths, formentations, poultices, compresses, sitz baths...

Water in its many forms aids in circulation through the body - pulling the congestion and inflammation from, say, the sinuses and head (as in a typical cold) down to the feet (ok - not literally!)

The congestion doesn't literally pool down at your feet - but rather the increase in circulation helps move that inflammation from collecting up in your head, which is what creates that 'stuffy' sensation.

Don't believe it? You don't have to - try it, you'll see!

Here's what you need:

2 pairs of socks - 1 wool, 1 cotton

Thoroughly soak the cotton pair in cold *as cold as you can* water.

Ring out the excess water *you don't want them dripping* and put them on your feet

Put the dry wool socks over top.

Go directly to bed and stay warm.

If you sweat through your pj's (and you might) make sure you have a dry pair to change into in the night, but leave the dry/wet socks on.

In the morning, you will have warmed the cotton socks and have dried them through while in addition, your congestion will be eased!

Friday, April 3, 2009

It is an important screening tool in the early detection of 'cervical dysplasia'.

Dysplasia from the Greek simply means: 'bad formation' - it is a process that occurs when cells come together improperly.

These improper cells, if caught early, can be treated and eliminated.

This is why early detection is so very important.

It is when the dysplastic cells go untreated, or you have a very virulent strain, that they can accumulate and lead to Cancer.

I can't comment on why it is that there is such a rising prevalence of this virus, as I am not an epidemiologist. However, it is indisputable that it is indeed the case.

The Human Papilloma Virus is controllable, but not possible to eliminate completely. That is why prevention is key. Practice safe sex and stop smoking. The carcinogens in cigarette smoke are toxic to the reproductive system.

Here are some naturopathic tools available to help in both prevention and treatment: